MarkBychowski

Hi everyone,

My throwout bearing is going out after only a few thousand miles. I've seen a few threads about people having the same problem on some of the replacement chineese POS bearings.

Does anyone know of a good souce for a quality throwout bearing? Most of the ones I've found either come as part of a clutch kit.

Thanks!

dizwiz24

Probably your best bet is the junkyard.

Better a throwout bearing w/ 150k miles on it vs. some brand new china piece of $h!t.

PLRX

Try this one

http://www.carolinaclutch.com/ShowIt...20Package.aspx

LD85

Made by GM, whatever that means

http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1994-1996.html

Corvette Clutch Throwout Bearing, 1994-1996
Stock Replacement
Fits 1994-96 LT1
Fits 1994-95 LT5/ZR1
Fits 1996 LT4
This stock replacement clutch throwout bearing is manufactured by GM or by one of its authorized suppliers for use as a factory replacement part. You will find the fit, finish and function meets all GM specifications. Using stock replacement parts from Eckler's, such as this clutch throwout bearing, is a sound investment in the restoration or repair of your Corvette.

Jagdpanzer

Power Torque Systems is another good source for Valeo throwout bearings and the full range of C4 clutch components:
http://www.powertorquesystems.com/Co...CorvetteTB.htm

dizwiz24

Danger! Danger! I got one of these in '06. It came in an ac delco box but the part was made in china.

It was much looser and sloppy w/ looser tolerances between the inner and outer races.

In contrast, I got a new one in 02 and it was ac delco also. very tight, made in usa.

I re used my old one

dizwiz24

I was unclear on something here...

The china one I got came from carolina clutch in a clutch ordr I made w/ them in 2006.

I ordered with them before in 2002 and got a made in usa one.

I don't know about the ecklers one. Perhaps if restocking fee is minimal, someone could buy one and return it if its from china.

Unfortunately the china one is common. I went to summit
racing, in 06, and looked at what came w an aftermarket
It also was a china one. I can't remember the brand clutch I looked at there.


clutch for our cars and it too had the china one. I can't remember

MarkBychowski

Thanks much for the pointers, guys.

Yea, the one I have that crapped out was from Carolina clutch so I may give them a call to see if they have any of the old ones laying around. I'm kicking myself for throwing out my old one, which in hindsight is much better than the new one was!

I guess another alternative is to switch to a hydraulic bearing and completely different clutch but that's more money than I need to be spending.

jaa1992

Where were all you guys when I had to replace my black tag throwout bearing?????
No one would sell me just a throw out bearing, I wound up having to get a clutch kit to get one
I also was able to find a used one that I have for the next time.
If you find a valid supplier that will sell just a throwout bearing for a black tag throw it up here!

93Rubie

To my knowledge Jim is the only way to get good ZF6 transmission parts, everything else from any of the Corvette parts houses, etc...is complete made in china crap. I cannot speak for Spec./McLeod and other name brands however. The Valeo throw out bearings are 100 each. Hey, you want good stuff or crap, take your pick.

Movnviolation

A friend of mine who has a auto service ordered a Delco for me. It was $85.00 his cost. When you get a good one, compare the two. The good one is much beefier than the chinese one.
I bought my clutch kit from carolina clutch also. The T/O bearing came apart a 5k.

MarkBychowski

Just got off the phone with Jim at Powertorquesystems. Great guy, very knowledgable. He has the NOS (non-chinese) bearings, so I picked one up.

Bill at ZFdoc also recommended him.

dizwiz24

Just because its acdelco doesn't mean its not from china.

My '02 one was acdelco and made in usa.

The one I bought in '06 was acdelco and made in china.

MrStiggy

I know this thread is two years old but I figured I'd post this in case anyone has the same problem. My throwout bearing went out at only 5k miles after the new clutch kit as well. RAM sells a hydraulic throwout bearing that's made in America and appears to be much higher quality. It's pricey, but it's better than replacing the throwout bearing every few thousand miles.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ra...model/corvette

dizwiz24

Ahh yes...i believe this is the unique push type throwout bearing they are making for us ([which is a miracle they make this for us])

aDigitalPhantom

This will not work with the pull style clutch. See the notes section of the summit page.

This is a replacement throwout bearing for a kit like this.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ra...model/corvette

MrStiggy

Good call, still searching for a replacement throwout bearing then.

MrStiggy

The only other throwout bearings out there are from Centerforce and one sold by Eckler's.

The low price on the Centerforce and the lack of stated assembly orgin worries me.
http://www.jegs.com/i/Centerforce/18...d=#moreDetails

The one from Eckler's is more pricey but it as well does not state country orgin and has no description other than vehicle applications.
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1989-1993.html

The Jegs throwout bearing states Made in USA, but only fits 84-87 C4s and the C4 ZRI.
http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performan...rentProductId=

Who knew such a small part would cause so much frustration.

aDigitalPhantom

Out of those links only the bearing from Eckler's works with the pull style clutch.

dizwiz24

I bought a spec stage 3+ clutch last year (in march 2013) and it came with a unique throwout bearing that appeared to be high quality. It was tight and did not have loose off axis play like the china ones did.

It had machine ring- marks on it like it was carved out of metal vs. A bunch of pressed and stamped together parts - like the china (and usa) ones.

they told me they have it made special for the c4.

That said, i am not using it but keeping it as a spare. I had a nos usa throwout bearing i am using instead.

Might want to call spec up if worse comes to worse.